Fluoropolymers are essential materials with unique properties that make them invaluable across a wide range of industries. From enhancing energy efficiency in building construction to ensuring the reliability of electronics, fluoropolymers play a crucial role in modern technology and infrastructure. Explore the various industries that benefit from fluoropolymers below.

Building and Construction

Fluoropolymers provide durable, thermally stable, easy-to-clean building materials which can both reduce building cooling costs and energy use, while enabling novel “landmark” architectural designs not feasible with other materials. Some well-known examples include the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, and the Denver Airport’s (Pictured) fiberglass roof. 

PFP White Paper on Fluoropolymers in Infrastructure and Construction

The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Performance Fluoropolymer Partnership has developed a White Paper that focuses on the important role fluoropolymers play in infrastructure and construction applications. The White Paper contains data and numerous case studies on the benefits of fluoropolymers in five end-use applications: building facades and protection; roofing and roofing structures; bridges and walkways; water towers; and solar panels. You can access the White Paper here.

Consumer Products

Fluoropolymers enable the connectivity of millions of people through mobile devices. Cell phones, laptops, and tablets are all powered by wires, semiconductors, and circuit boards that are made possible by fluoropolymers. A $1.5 billion industry, fluoropolymer-coated cookware provides an easy-clean, non-stick experience, saving time, water, and energy. Products last longer and facilitate cooking with less added fat.

Fluoropolymers are employed in various textile applications, where products need to have specific characteristics, such as being water proof or breathable, including raincoats, footwear, and jackets.

Electronics

Fluoropolymers enable the instant connectivity of billions of people through mobile devices. They are critical components in the manufacturing and performance of the wires and circuit boards found in cell phones, laptops, tablets and other devices.

Additionally, fluoropolymers are critical to the semiconductor manufacturing process. Fluoropolymers allow semiconductor manufacturing equipment to withstand aggressive temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions of semiconductor manufacturing and produce high-purity, low-defect products. Fluoropolymers also play a critical role in the development of smaller, ever more powerful, electronic devices. Fluoropolymers’ dielectric properties have enabled miniaturization of components and final products. They also provide other benefits, such as improved fire safety, and higher transmission speeds. The ability of fluoropolymers to withstand challenging operating conditions and present negligible electrical resistance make them vital to the reliability of wires and optical and data transmission cables. These performance benefits enable a wide range of information and communications technology, and bring benefits to many consumer, industrial, automotive, and medical products and processes.

Energy

Fluoropolymers play a critical role in the development of alternative energy sources. Fluoropolymers have contributed to significant technical advances in solar power generation, production efficiencies in wind turbines, and the development of lithium ion batteries. The costs of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells have halved in recent years, with installed capacity sufficient to power 11.2 million American homes.¹Source: Socio-economic Assessment of the U.S. Fluoropolymer Industry was commissioned with support from AGC, Chemours, Daikin and 3M, and developed by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions UK. Fluoropolymers increase the production efficiency of PV cells, providing a potential yearly savings of up to $4 billion for US PV module manufacturers. Fluoropolymer coatings help solar panels and wind turbines withstand rain, hail and environmental contaminants.

Medical and First Responder Devices and Equipment

Fluoropolymers are critical to our 21st century healthcare system, supporting modern and efficient medical practices and helping to protect our first responders. Fluoropolymers are used in medical imaging equipment, surgically-implantable medical devices and other medical equipment like catheters, guide wires, filters, and pumps. They reduce medical complications, replacements, cross-infections and clogging of medical equipment, reducing pain, discomfort, and treatment costs. 

Additionally, Fluoropolymers are integral to COVID-19 testing equipment and the medical technology that is saving lives across the globe. Fluoropolymers are being used as coatings for the tubing in COVID-19 test kits because of their unmatched durability, low friction, and extreme heat resistance. Fluoropolymers are being used in the production of ventilators because they retain their flexibility, shape, and seal when exposed to extreme conditions; and are being used as a high-performance lubricant during the ventilator production process because of their heat and chemical resistance properties.

Fluoropolymer fabrics used in firefighting gear helps gear manufacturers meet National Fire Protection Association standards for heat, moisture, and chemical protection.

Transportation

Fluoropolymer coatings and components help improve engine efficiency, make travel safer and more affordable, and reduce environmental impact. Critical for performance in the automotive and aerospace industries, fluoropolymers provide protection against heat, cold, fire, smoke, aggressive fluids and fuels, humidity, vibrations, and compression while also improving safety and enabling sophisticated antenna and communications systems. Fluoropolymers’ unique properties are used in aerospace and automotive electronics systems to provide heat and fire resistance and increase reliability.

In cars, fluoropolymers have contributed to a 48% increase in fuel efficiency² Source: Socio-economic Assessment of the U.S. Fluoropolymer Industry was commissioned with support from AGC, Chemours, Daikin and 3M, and developed by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions UK. (based on average miles per gallon) in US cars through a combination of improved engine efficiency and vehicle weight reduction, as well as being key elements of fuel cell and lithium ion battery technologies. Fluoropolymer fuel tubes and hoses drastically reduce fugitive emissions and enable automakers to achieve LEV III emissions standards.  Carbon fiber reinforced composite structural components, which rely on fluoropolymer release films to be produced, provide lighter weight and improved fuel efficiency for both aerospace and automotive applications.

Chemical and Industrial Processes

Fluoropolymers are used to help protect workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals, while also enabling a high level of efficiency in various chemical and industrial manufacturing processes to help them remain internationally competitive. Uses include piping, vessels, fluid-handling components, filters, vents and cable coatings. Fluoropolymer coatings, linings, and components prevent cross-contamination and help reduce the likelihood of unwanted or adverse chemical reactions.  They also prevent corrosion in demanding environments. Corrosion costs the US economy over $250 billion per year. Even a 1% improvement in corrosion resistance would result in avoided annual costs of $2.5 billion to US industry. ³Source: Socio-economic Assessment of the U.S. Fluoropolymer Industry was commissioned with support from AGC, Chemours, Daikin and 3M, and developed by Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions UK.

To learn more about the socioeconomic impacts of fluoropolymers, click here.